223 in light rifle; which one?

O

Onty

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I am thinking about 223 in lighter rifle, preferably with open sights. Seems to me that CZ527 Lux fits the bill, but price of new one is bit stiff, and I do not see any used one for sale. I’ve heard that there are some older Sako models in 223. This rifle will be used in hilly areas so I prefer something up to 7 lb.

Would those older 223 rifles stabilize heavier bullets like 60 to 70 grains? I would like to hunt coyotes and wolves on distances up to 300 yds.

For a while I was thinking about 243, but some folks told me that, for what I want to hunt, 223 is more than enough.

Any suggestion welcome since my experience with small centerfire calibers is zero.

Thanks, Onty
 
If you are a wolf hunter, the .243 loaded with bullets in the 85-100 gr range would be a better choice than the .223. For general recreational shooting the .223 offers cheap ammo, good barrel life, accuracy, low noise signature, and little recoil, even when fired in a light rifle. Which ever cartridge you choose, I think you could do worse than one of the micro versions of the Ruger 77 like the Frontier, and the Ruger comes in at well under 7 pounds.

The CZ is probably a good rifle, but the Brno Fox in .222 I used needed to have the action slicked up before it was serviceable. It was a nice little rifle; the size was pleasing and the wood was pretty. But I'm not a fan of double set triggers, as they are too light when set and just awful when not, and they unnecessarily add to the cost, complexity and fragility of the rifle. I have not had the opportunity to handle the newer post Brno models.
 
Hi there,
I'm in a similar boat,I want a .223 and the choice is difficult.I'm ok spending a little more so I like the Tikka T3 lite,Browning x bolt hunter,cz 527,Remington 700 sps,Ruger M77 hawkeye.Spoilt for choice one could say..............decisions,decisions ???????
Oh happy days.....
TM.
 
...If I had a bit more to spend, I would look at a T3 Lite or a 527. The T3's have an incredibly smooth action, and have a lovely balance to them. A good choice for the field. The CZ 527's are beautiful rifles.....but man, for myself I can't see dragging one around the field.....the first scratch is going to hurt too much!
..The Stevens 200 is my choice for my field .223, I have an original staggerfeed and it's been great. I have a newer 200 in 22-250 that I use for mostly for coyote, as where I go the ranges are usually longer than 150 yards. This year most of my shots have been in the 200 yard range, and IMHO the 22-250 is a bit better on coyotes at that distance.
..I have never gone after wolves, but I'm thinking at 300 yard ranges as you mention, a .243 might be better, or a 6MM, or even a .260. There is nothing worse than hitting them, seeing them run away, and then not finding them. If I take a shot that far, I need to know they are going to go down, and not suffer.
 
I've had a CZ 527 American for a few years and, while it doesn't get shot very much, it is consistently accurate and an excellent choice for a "carrying" rifle. Compact and light, sub-MOA accurate.

Based on your requirements, I'd suggest taking a closer look at that model for a "carrying" coyote rifle. (No worries to 300 yards+)
 
Well, I'll say it, Stevens 200! Light, very accurate and cheap........

I have owned three of them. Still have two, one rechambered to 223 Ackley by Bill Leeper.

All would shoot factory ammo into an inch on a bad day. :)

Ted
 
Go for a single shot if you want light here is a picture of my T/C Contender carbine in 223.

Dec_08_to_Feb_09_066.jpg


Here is a picture of a 300 yard group and a bit of a write up.

I am constantly amazed at the accuracy of this little rifle it is a factory 21" 223 tapered s/s barrel.

I load 25.5grs H322 powder measure dumped (not individually weighed) and loaded with 40gr Hornady V-Max bullets @ 3440fps.

The scope on this barrel is a Burris Mini 3-9X ballistic plex which has the regular duplex reticle then 3 small dot on the bottom post.

The top 2 shots are with the 2nd dot down held at almost the exact elevation of the hits and the 3 shot group is with the 2nd dot held on the red dot.

TC_Contender_Carbine_223_300_Yard_Group_40gr_V-Max_3440fps_001.jpg


This is now the only 223 I own...

:canadaFlag:
 
The Remington LVSF comes it at 6.75 lbs. Nice light rifle, when I am packing it I always think I am packing a BB gun!:D

Kills a lot better, though!:p

lgsil_700lvsf.jpg


Mine shoots really small groups with Hornady V-Max bullets, rigth out to 400 yards. With my "big game" load using the 53gr TSX, groups start to open up past 200 yards, although I don't intend to shoot big game past that point with a .223 anyway. I'm going to see if the 45gr TSX won't stabilize batter in this rifle with it's twist rate...I doubt it will shoot the 60 and 70gr bullets well, although I admit I've never had the need to try them in this rifle.
 
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I have a T3 Lite Stainless and it was a really good rifle. I handled one of the new Brownings and it felt similar. I have no idea how they shoot though.
 
I have the CZ 527 in 204 and a Tikka T3 lite in .223.

I really like the CZ. It's definitely the kind of rifle you would never want to sell. It feels great and has a lot of character. The mini-Mauser action is real neat and perfectly sized for the round. Mine is a left hand model and I paid signifigantly more for it than you would the RH version. I think it was worth it. Note that the CZ will likely need a bit of working in before it feels real good. I bought mine from a sight sponsor who's prices were considerably less than every other dealer in Canada that I checked with.

The Tikka is a little lighter than the CZ but doesn't have the same character. It has a real slick action but makes use a some plastic parts. It is not a true short action and makes use of a spacer in the mag and a bolt block. The rifle comes with a 1:8 twist barrel that will shoot heavier bullets very well.

The Tikka was my wife's choice. Between the two I would choose the CZ every time. The CZ is well known as an excellent carry rifle to use with open sights. It seems a perfect fit for your needs.
 
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hi there,
i'm going with the Browning x bolt hunter,i like the whole package.Got one on order with WSS,there doesn't seem to be any around in .223............unless you know otherwise !
TANKMAN.
 
I had a Sako hunter in .223 it was very light and accurate,it had a 1 in 8 twist so it shot anything up to 90 grain really well.I also think a 223 is an excellent caliber for wolf or coyotes.
 
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